New Nissan Z undercuts Toyota Supra by $14,000

Depending on your outlook, the all-new 2022 Nissan Z sports car is either the sports car bargain of the decade or an overpriced fusion of glass, metal and carbon-fibre.

The highly-anticipated Nissan Z will begin arriving in Australia mid-year – hopefully July – priced from $73,300 plus on-road costs.

That undercuts the Toyota Supra by $14,000, with the Supra starting at $87,303 plus ORCs.

However, compared to the outgoing Nissan 370Z (from $50,490), which shares the same FM platform with the new Z, the entry price has risen an astronomical $22,810.

There’s also a more expensive limited-edition model, dubbed the 2022 Nissan Z Proto Spec, which will be offered at launch priced at $80,700 plus ORCs.

Unlike the naturally-aspirated Nissan 370Z, the new seventh-generation Nissan Z is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, good for 298kW of power at 6400rpm and 475Nm of torque from 1600-5600rpm.

This makes it the most powerful and fastest Z-car ever sold in Australia, dating back to the original 240Z that arrived Down Under in September 1970.

Badged the Nissan Fairlady Z in Japan, Nissan hasn’t announced the 0-100km/h acceleration time for the new Z, but given it closely matches the Supra’s output (285kW/500Nm) it should be competitive with the Toyota’s 4.1-second time.

Customers can choose between a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission, both fitted with launch control.

Power is shunted to the rear wheels with a little help from a mechanical limited-slip differential, while manual models gets a carbon-fibre driveshaft, EXEDY performance clutch and downshift rev-matching.

Toyota’s response to the upcoming Nissan Z is a six-speed manual Supra of its own that arrives in the final quarter as part of a broader model upgrade.

Key standard features on the regular Z coupe include 19-inch alloy wheels, leather-accented power-adjustable and heated sports seats, a 12.3-inch multi-mode digital driver’s display, an 8.0-inch central touch-screen, adaptive cruise control and rear parking sensors.

Nine colours will be available, six of which come with a contrasting black roof.

The Nissan Z Proto Spec adds 19-inch forged bronze alloy wheels and yellow brake callipers to match sole exterior paint option, Ikazuchi Yellow.

The cabin also features matching yellow accents and stitching for a bit more razzle-dazzle.

The biggest problem facing those keen on buying the new Nissan Z will be actually sourcing one, given the first Nissan Z allocations are essentially sold out.

Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson told carsales that more than 1000 customers have already paid deposits to dealers to secure a car, following 3000 expressions of interest.

And the number of orders is expected to grow now that pricing has been announced.

“We’ve been extremely impressed with how much enthusiasm there is for Z,” he said.

A pre-production Nissan Z has just arrived in Australia for media and dealer events ahead of first customer deliveries turning up mid-year.

“We haven’t done a tonne [of promotion] for the car locally yet; most of the communication has been globally and this is the first local event,” said Paterson.

“It’s absolutely an important car for Nissan and specifically in Australia because of the demand for rear-wheel drive sports cars in this market.”

It remains to be seen whether Nissan can source more examples of the Z for the Australian market, as the spike in demand is expected to continue.

But as it stands the sports car is likely to be completely sold out for 2022 before it even rolls onto Aussie terra firma.

There’s no sign of the ‘Performance’ variant offered on US-delivered Nissan Z coupes, which adds sportier suspension, bigger brakes and a higher-flow muffler, but Paterson wouldn’t rule it out in future.

“Maybe one day. I think we’ve demonstrated that we always have special models or special editions and we’ve done that at launch with Z Proto,” he said.

The Nissan Z portfolio will be fleshed out over its lifespan, with a convertible version on the cards and a NISMO model, which is all but certain to eventuate in a few years’ time and was previewed by the brand’s experimental Z race car.

When the idea of a hard-core, track-ready Nissan Z NISMO was raised, Paterson wouldn’t rule it out, stating: “Who knows what happens next?”

Nissan Z standard features:

How much does the 2022 Nissan Z cost?
Z Coupe – $73,300
Z Proto Spec – $80,700
*Pricing excludes on-road costs

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au